Newsletter

Jaguars notebook: Rain welcomed by players at OTAs

The Jaguars started their second organized team activity of the week in a light rain Wednesday, but coach Mike Mularkey said they actually had a better practice than they did on Tuesday.

Mularkey said it was good to get a chance to work in the rain and added, “It was cooler and the guys were flying around.”

But Mularkey said that even though the Jaguars have only had to move one practice indoors, the weather has been a topic of discussion for each practice.

The players didn’t seem to mind the poor weather Wednesday.

“It was great today in the rain,” said guard Will Rackley.

Wide receiver Laurent Robinson added: “A little rain isn’t going to hurt anybody. You’ve just got to focus more on the ball. The ball is going to be a little slick so you have to hone in on it.”

The only player who was limited because of the rain was rookie cornerback Mike Harris, who has a leg issue and they didn’t want him to risk running on the slick turf.

Still fumbling around

Fumbles continued to be an issue for the Jaguars and Mularkey said he will put more emphasis on it today in the final OTA of this week.

He said the defense gets credit for stripping the ball but said the running backs are relaxing too much near the end of the play and being victims of strips.

“We’ve got to finish the plays,” he said.

Overall, though, Mularkey likes the way the team is working.

“We’re only allowed two hours on the field, but we’re getting a lot done,” he said.

Blackmon making presence felt

Top draft pick Justin Blackmon missed the final day of rookie minicamp with a sore foot and he will miss today’s workout because he has to attend the NFLPA Rookie Premier Event in Los Angeles. The players are not allowed to work out at team facilities if they skip the event.

Robinson said he is impressed with Blackmon.

“Oh, I like him. Hard worker, good route-runner. Good hands, good run after the catch. He’s learning. He’s going to do real well for us,” he said.

Veteran Lee Evans also is impressed with Blackmon.

“He certainly has the talent, certainly has the size. He has good hands and can catch the ball.”

“Physically, he has all the tools so now it’s just about him getting comfortable understanding the playbook and what his role is going to be,” Evans said.

Robinson said the receivers should have some swagger this year.

“Wide receivers always got swag. We’re back now. I don’t know what happened last year. We weren’t here, but we’re here now. That’s all I can tell you,” he said.